Ex-Detroit Lions receiver Titus Young has one last chance to appear in court

Aug. 6, 2013

Titus Young in 2012. / Andre J. Jackson/DFP

Written by

David Leon Moore

USA TODAY Sports

NEWPORT BEACH, CALIF. — Former Detroit Lions receiver Titus Young was given another excused absence for his third consecutive no-show today at a scheduled court hearing in the 11-count criminal case against him, but an Orange County judge said Young must appear next time.

Judge Andre Manssourian said he would continue to hold a $100,000 bench warrant on Young – meaning, he is not a fugitive, but would be subject to arrest if he fails to show up for an Aug. 27 pretrial hearing.

“This is the last time,” Manssourian said. “I am satisfied that Mr. Young is not trying to take advantage of not being in custody or defy the court’s rulings, but I am going to have to get him here in the courtroom.”

Young’s attorney, Altus W. Hudson, presented a document in court that he said had to do with Young’s situation and whereabouts. Manssourian accepted the document and ordered it filed under seal.

“Titus continues to be safe, and I am aware of where he is,” Hudson said. He said Young is still “in treatment,” though he did not say for what.

“That’s personal,” he said.

Young’s father had earlier said that Young suffers from a mental disorder and needs treatment.

Hudson said Young, 23, is still suffering from concussions he received while playing football for the Lions.

Asked whether that might form a defense if Young’s case goes to trial – that is, if his mental state was diminished by football-related concussions – Hudson said, “Only a doctor can say that for sure, but it is a viable defense.”

Young allegedly went on a crime spree in May that resulted in three arrests in one week. The charges against Young, four of them felonies, are mostly for burglary and assault.

Previous to his arrests, his girlfriend, Marjani Maldonado, the mother of their infant son, obtained a restraining order that requires Young not come within 100 yards of her.

In seeking the order, Maldonado said in court filings that Young’s behavior had become loud and threatening and that he once said, “I understand why O.J. killed his wife.” The reference was to NFL Hall of Famer O.J. Simpson, who went on trial and in a controversial decision was acquitted by a jury in the 1994 slayings of his wife, Nicole Simpson, and her friend, Ronald Goldman.

Join special writer Nick Meyer for a live blog of the Lions-Jets exhibition Friday night at freep.com/sports.